Senior Network Engineer - Cisco & Palo Alto Environments

General Dynamics Information Technology•International Falls, MN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Transform technology into opportunity as a Network Engineer Senior at GDIT. Shape what’s next for mission-critical government projects while shaping what’s next for your engineering career. MEANINGFUL WORK AND PERSONAL IMPACT As a Network Engineer Senior, the work you’ll do at GDIT will be impactful to the mission of U.S. Army Europe. You will play a crucial role in providing mission command support The Senior Network Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, management, and optimization of network infrastructures in a Cisco and Palo Alto environment. The role includes configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking hardware, as well as Palo Alto firewall systems. The Senior Network Engineer will ensure the network architecture is secure, high-performing, and scalable, supporting the organization's business and operational needs. The role will also involve leading troubleshooting efforts, optimizing network performance, and implementing security measures to safeguard network resources.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
Experience: 5+ years of related experience
Technical skills: Cisco Networking Expertise: Strong experience with Cisco networking equipment, including routers, switches, and wireless controllers. Proficient in advanced routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), switching (VLANs, Stackwise, STP, dot1x, QoS), and network management (SNMP); Palo Alto Firewall Expertise: Extensive hands-on experience configuring and managing Palo Alto firewalls and the Panorama console, including URL filtering, certificate decryption, data loss prevention (DLP), NAT/PAT flows, file transfer protections, policy creation, threat prevention, VPN configurations, and network segmentation; Network Security: In-depth understanding of network security principles, including firewalls, east-west versus north-south traffic policies, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and network access control and edge security with dot1x. Expertise in designing secure network architectures; Troubleshooting and Performance Optimization: Excellent problem-solving skills in diagnosing network issues related to routing, switching, and security. Ability to optimize network performance and minimize downtime; Networking Tools: Proficiency in using network monitoring and troubleshooting tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Cisco Catalyst Center, Wireshark) to monitor, analyze, and optimize network performance; Network Documentation: Strong ability to document network configurations, diagrams, and incident reports clearly and accurately. Experience creating network documentation for troubleshooting and reference; Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead network projects, mentor junior engineers, and manage complex network systems in an enterprise environment.
Security clearance level: Secret Security Clearance Required
US citizenship required
Role requirements: Certification: Relevant certifications, such as Cisco CCNP/CCIE, Palo Alto PCNSE, CompTIA Network+, or similar certifications in networking and security;
Network Automation: Familiarity with automation tools to include Cisco Catalyst Center, and scripting languages (e.g., Python, Ansible, Bash) for routine configuration, firmware upgrades and network tasks;
Vendor Management: Experience working with vendors and managing relationships for hardware/software procurement, as well as managing warranty and service agreements for network devices.
Expected Deliverables: Network Design and Documentation: Provide detailed designs and network diagrams for new and existing systems. Document network configurations, security policies, and troubleshooting procedures.
Incident and Troubleshooting Reports: Maintain comprehensive reports on network incidents, including root cause analysis and resolution steps.
Network Performance Reports: Generate and review performance reports to identify opportunities for network optimization and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Security Compliance Reports: Ensure that network security policies and procedures meet industry standards and compliance requirements, documenting all related audits and actions taken.
Capacity and Scalability Plans: Provide detailed recommendations for network upgrades or expansions to accommodate growing business needs.

Responsibilities

Network Design and Architecture: Lead the design and implementation of complex network systems within a Cisco and Palo Alto environment, ensuring scalability, security, and high availability. Align network architecture with business needs and security best practices.
Network Configuration and Management: Oversee the configuration, installation, and maintenance of Cisco routers, switches, Palo Alto firewalls, and other network devices. Optimize network performance through efficient routing and switching protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and VLAN management.
Network Security: Design and implement robust network security policies, ensuring the integration of Palo Alto firewall systems for intrusion prevention, VPN configurations, secure access controls, and perimeter defense.
Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution: Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex network issues, including problems related to routing, switching, firewalls, and hardware failures. Provide expertise in resolving issues efficiently to minimize network downtime.
Performance Monitoring and Optimization: Monitor network performance and identify areas for improvement. Utilize network monitoring tools to ensure uptime and high performance while troubleshooting bottlenecks and connectivity issues.
Leadership and Mentorship: Provide leadership and mentorship to junior network engineers, guiding them in troubleshooting, network configurations, and best practices for network security and optimization.
Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed network documentation, including network diagrams, configurations, and troubleshooting steps. Generate regular reports on network performance, incidents, and ongoing optimization initiatives.
Capacity Planning and Scalability: Plan and manage network capacity to ensure that the infrastructure can scale as business demands increase. Collaborate with IT teams to identify and implement network upgrades.
Disaster Recovery and Continuity Planning: Design and implement disaster recovery strategies for the network infrastructure, ensuring business continuity and quick recovery in the event of network outages or failures.
Collaboration and Coordination: Work with cross-functional IT teams, including systems administration and security teams, to ensure that network infrastructure integrates seamlessly with other systems and supports overall IT strategy.

Benefits

Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

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